UPDATE: Motorists urged to avoid M62 after serious accident

MOTORISTS travelling between Manchester and Leeds are being urged to avoid the M62 - between junction 21 at Milnrow and junction 22 at Saddleworth - after a HGV carrying 44 tonnes of butter smashed through the central reservation.

The accident happened at 8.15am today (Monday) when the lorry travelling eastbound crossed the central reservation and collided with a car, a van and two other lorries. The driver was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

By 4pm one lane of the motorway was open but there are still long delays.

Drivers are being urged to check travel conditions before setting out on journeys at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or on Twitter at @HighwaysNWEST or @HighwaysYorks.